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Abdalla T, Preen DB, Pole JD, Walwyn T, Bulsara M, Ives A, Choong CS, Ohan JL. Psychiatric disorders in childhood cancer survivors: A retrospective matched cohort study of inpatient hospitalisations and community-based mental health services utilisation in Western Australia. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2024; 58:515-527. [PMID: 38404162 PMCID: PMC11128143 DOI: 10.1177/00048674241233871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined the impact of long-term mental health outcomes on healthcare services utilisation among childhood cancer survivors in Western Australia using linked hospitalisations and community-based mental healthcare records from 1987 to 2019. METHOD The study cohort included 2977 childhood cancer survivors diagnosed with cancer at age < 18 years in Western Australia from 1982 to 2014 and a matched non-cancer control group of 24,994 individuals. Adjusted hazard ratios of recurrent events were estimated using the Andersen-Gill model. The cumulative burden of events over time was assessed using the method of mean cumulative count. The annual percentage change in events was estimated using the negative binomial regression model. RESULTS The results showed higher community-based service contacts (rate/100 person-years: 30.2, 95% confidence interval = [29.7-30.7] vs 22.8, 95% confidence interval = [22.6-22.9]) and hospitalisations (rate/1000 person-years: 14.8, 95% confidence interval = [13.6-16.0] vs 12.7, 95% confidence interval = [12.3-13.1]) in childhood cancer survivors compared to the control group. Childhood cancer survivors had a significantly higher risk of any event (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval = [1.1-2.0]). The cumulative burden of events increased with time since diagnosis and across age groups. The annual percentage change for hospitalisations and service contacts significantly increased over time (p < 0.05). Substance abuse was the leading cause of hospitalisations, while mood/affective and anxiety disorders were common causes of service contacts. Risk factors associated with increased service events included cancer diagnosis at age < 5 years, leukaemia diagnosis, high socioeconomic deprivation, and an attained age of < 18 years. CONCLUSIONS The elevated utilisation of healthcare services observed among childhood cancer survivors emphasises the need for periodic assessment of psychiatric disorders, particularly in high-risk survivors, to facilitate early management and optimise healthcare resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnim Abdalla
- Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - David B Preen
- School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jason D Pole
- Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Thomas Walwyn
- Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology and Haematology, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Max Bulsara
- School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Institute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia
| | - Angela Ives
- Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Catherine S Choong
- Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Jeneva L Ohan
- School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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Parrillo E, Petchler C, Jacobson LA, Ruble K, Paré-Blagoev EJ, Nolan MT. Integrative review of school integration support following pediatric cancer. J Cancer Surviv 2024; 18:325-343. [PMID: 36318444 PMCID: PMC9628445 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-022-01276-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to understand parents' experiences of school integration support for their child's transition to K-12 schooling during or after cancer treatment. METHODS This integrative literature review used PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase databases and included articles from January 2000 to July 2022 describing parent experiences with support from healthcare providers, school faculty/systems, and school integration programs. This review was guided by an adapted School Re-Entry Model and used constant comparison to identify common themes and guide synthesis. The Johns Hopkins Evidence and Quality Guide was used to appraise article quality and level of evidence. RESULTS Thirty-five articles were included in the final review: seventeen qualitative, fourteen quantitative, and four mixed or multi-method designs. Parents reported experiences receiving support from healthcare providers, school faculty/systems, school integration programs, and "other" sources. Parents reported both facilitators and barriers to communication, knowledge, and the process of receiving school integration support. CONCLUSIONS Parents found neuro/psychologists highly supportive but reported limited support from other healthcare providers. Most parents reported mixed experiences with school faculty and reported many barriers to school system support. Parents reported positive experiences with school integration programs; however, limited programs were available. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Future programs and research should focus on addressing identified barriers and facilitators of school integration support. Further work is also needed to understand a wider range of parent experiences during school integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaina Parrillo
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Claire Petchler
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lisa A Jacobson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kathy Ruble
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Marie T Nolan
- Conway School of Nursing, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
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Arpaci T, Altay N. Qualitative Analysis of School Re-Entry Experiences of Turkish Survivors of Childhood and Adolescent Cancer: Parental Perspective. Semin Oncol Nurs 2024:151613. [PMID: 38413308 DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2024.151613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the school re-entry experiences of Turkish survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer. DATA SOURCES In this qualitative study, semistructured in-depth interviews were undertaken with parents of childhood cancer survivors who had completed treatment for at least 2 years (n = 20). Interviews were conducted via telephone or video conferencing. The study was conducted and reported according to the COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) guidelines. The components of qualitative rigor were considered to ensure confidence in the methods and data. CONCLUSIONS The average age of parents was 43.20 ± 4.66 years (range 37-55) (n = 20). The mean age of survivors was 8.45 ± 2.03 years at diagnosis and 15.05 ± 2.08 years during the study. The diagnosis of most of the survivors was lymphoma (35%). Four main themes were developed: worry; challenging situations; negative effects of the disease process; and facilitating situations. Parents stated that both children and parents need support during the school re-entry process. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE This study revealed that survivors may experience problems that make school re-entry difficult. With cooperation between the health team and the school, arrangements should be made to ensure survivors have a positive experience on school re-entry. Pediatric oncology nurses should know survivors' requirements and take action to deliver school re-entry adjustment programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuba Arpaci
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Türkiye.
| | - Naime Altay
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye
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Mogensen H, Tettamanti G, Frederiksen LE, Talbäck M, Härkonen J, Modig K, Pedersen C, Krøyer A, Hirvonen E, Kyrönlahti A, Heyman M, Holmqvist AS, Hasle H, Madanat-Harjuoja L, Malila N, Winther JF, Erdmann F, Feychting M. Educational attainment in survivors of childhood cancer in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:260-268. [PMID: 37993542 PMCID: PMC10803319 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02499-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survivors of childhood cancer may face difficulties at school. We investigated whether childhood cancer affects attainment of upper secondary education, in a register-based cohort study from Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, where we limit bias from selection and participation. METHODS From the national cancer registers, we identified all long-term survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed aged 0-14 years in 1971-2005 (n = 7629), compared them to matched population comparisons (n = 35,411) and siblings (n = 6114), using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Overall, 6127 survivors (80%) had attained upper secondary education by age 25, compared to 84% among comparison groups. Elevated OR for not attaining this level were mainly confined to survivors of central nervous system (CNS) tumours (ORSurv_PopComp2.05, 95%CI: 1.83-2.29). Other risk groups were survivors who had spent more time in hospital around cancer diagnosis and those who had hospital contacts in early adulthood, particularly psychiatric. Survivors of all cancer types were less likely to have attained upper secondary education without delay. CONCLUSIONS Although survivors of childhood cancer experienced delays in their education, many had caught up by age 25. Except for survivors of CNS tumours, survivors attained upper secondary education to almost the same extent as their peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Mogensen
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Giorgio Tettamanti
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Mats Talbäck
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Juho Härkonen
- Department of Political and Social Sciences, European University Institute, Florence, Italy
- Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Modig
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Camilla Pedersen
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anja Krøyer
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elli Hirvonen
- Finnish Cancer Registry, Cancer Society of Finland, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anniina Kyrönlahti
- Finnish Cancer Registry, Cancer Society of Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- New children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mats Heyman
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Sällfors Holmqvist
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Childhood Cancer Center, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Henrik Hasle
- Department of pediatric and adolescent medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Laura Madanat-Harjuoja
- Finnish Cancer Registry, Cancer Society of Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nea Malila
- Finnish Cancer Registry, Cancer Society of Finland, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jeanette Falck Winther
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Friederike Erdmann
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Research group Aetiology and Inequalities in Childhood Cancer, Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Maria Feychting
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Carter C, Boisvert I, Docking K. Communication, academic and social outcomes of childhood cancer survivors with hearing loss: A systematic review. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30595. [PMID: 37534926 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Many children treated for cancer are at risk of hearing loss. However, little is known about how hearing loss impacts their communication, academic and social outcomes. To examine the impact, this systematic review aimed to synthesise and appraise quantitative and qualitative studies reporting on (i) participants with hearing loss treated with platinum-based chemotherapy or cranial radiotherapy during childhood; and (ii) speech, language, academic performance, or social participation findings. Systematic database searches yielded 23 relevant articles that were analysed using narrative synthesis. Difficulties were reported for some but not all communication, academic and social aspects; however, a quality assessment using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) revealed low to very low certainty in the findings. Future research should aim to increase the quality of the research evidence and explore how multidisciplinary services can provide evidence-based support for childhood cancer survivors with competing hearing, communication, and social difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciara Carter
- Discipline of Speech Pathology, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Isabelle Boisvert
- Discipline of Speech Pathology, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kimberley Docking
- Discipline of Speech Pathology, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Baughan N, Pell JP, Mackay DF, Clark D, King A, Fleming M. Educational outcomes in childhood cancer survivors: A Scotland-wide record-linkage study of 766,217 schoolchildren. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286840. [PMID: 37494295 PMCID: PMC10370705 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A cancer diagnosis during childhood greatly disrupts the lives of those affected, causing physical and psychological challenges. We aim to investigate educational outcomes among schoolchildren with a previous cancer diagnosis compared to their peers. METHODS Individual records from four national education databases and three national health databases were linked to construct a cohort of all singleton schoolchildren born in Scotland attending Scottish local-authority schools between 2009-2013. Pupils previously diagnosed with any cancer, haematological cancers, and central nervous system (CNS) cancers, were compared to their unaffected peers with respect to five educational outcomes: special educational need (SEN), absenteeism, school exclusion, academic attainment, and unemployment. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic and maternity factors and chronic conditions. RESULTS Of 766,217 pupils, 1,313 (0.17%) had a previous cancer diagnosis. Children with any cancer had increased odds of SEN (OR 3.26, 95% CI 2.86-3.71), absenteeism (IRR 1.82, 95% CI 1.70-1.94), and low attainment (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.52-3.03) compared to their peers. Similar findings were observed for haematological (SEN OR 2.62, 95% CI 2.12-3.24; absenteeism IRR 2.04, 95% CI 1.85-2.25; low attainment OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.31-3.61) and CNS (SEN OR 6.44, 95% CI 4.91-8.46; absenteeism IRR 1.75, 95% CI 1.51-2.04; low attainment OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.52-7.30) cancers. Lower exclusions were observed among children with any cancer (IRR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31-0.83) and CNS cancer (IRR 0.20, 95% CI 0.06-0.61). No associations were observed with unemployment. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the wider impacts of childhood cancer on educational outcomes. These children need to be supported, as poor educational outcomes can further impact later health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Baughan
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jill P Pell
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel F Mackay
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - David Clark
- Public Health Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Albert King
- ScotXed, Scottish Government, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Fleming
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Parrillo E, Perrin N, Ruble K, Paré-Blagoev EJ, Jacobson LA. Developing a Tool for Measuring Parent Knowledge and Barriers to Supportive School Integration After Diagnosis of Childhood Cancer. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY NURSING 2023; 40:217-225. [PMID: 36919251 DOI: 10.1177/27527530221140068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Background: Children treated for cancer are at risk for long-term neurocognitive late effects that can impact school attainment, employment, and quality of life. Obtaining formal education support can be critical to later success but may depend upon parent knowledge and ability to access needed support. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a scale to measure the perceived support that parents received upon their child's return to school during or after cancer treatment. Methods: Exploratory factor analyses evaluated the construct validity of survey items. Cronbach's alpha was used to test the internal consistency and independent t-tests evaluated the concurrent criterion validity of resulting subscales. Results: The exploratory factor analyses resulted in two subscales, Barriers to Supportive School Integration (13 items) and Parent School Integration Knowledge (three items). All items loaded at least 0.49 onto each factor, with Cronbach's alpha values of 0.927 and 0.738, respectively. The Knowledge subscale additionally demonstrated concurrent criterion validity; higher Knowledge subscale scores were found among parents who reported receiving information about treatment-related cognitive/school problems from healthcare providers (p < .001). Discussion: The Parent School Integration Knowledge and Barriers to Supportive School Integration subscales demonstrated preliminary evidence for good construct validity and internal consistency. These subscales may be used in future research to assess parent knowledge, barriers to receiving support, and overall experience of supportive school integration after the diagnosis of pediatric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaina Parrillo
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nancy Perrin
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kathy Ruble
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Lisa A Jacobson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Jay MA, Sanders-Ellis D, Blackburn R, Deighton J, Gilbert R. Umbrella systematic review finds limited evidence that school absence explains the association between chronic health conditions and lower academic attainment. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1122769. [PMID: 37361156 PMCID: PMC10288991 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1122769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Absence from school is more frequent for children with chronic health conditions (CHCs) than their peers and may be one reason why average academic attainment scores are lower among children with CHCs. Methods We determined whether school absence explains the association between CHCs and academic attainment through a systematic review of systematic reviews of comparative studies involving children with or without CHCs and academic attainment. We extracted results from any studies that tested whether school absence mediated the association between CHCs and academic attainment. Results We identified 27 systematic reviews which included 441 unique studies of 7, 549, 267 children from 47 jurisdictions. Reviews either covered CHCs generally or were condition-specific (e.g., chronic pain, depression, or asthma). Whereas reviews found an association between a range of CHCs (CHCs generally, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia A, end-stage renal disease (pre-transplant), end-stage kidney disease (pre-transplant), spina bifida, congenital heart disease, orofacial clefts, mental disorders, depression, and chronic pain) and academic attainment, and though it was widely hypothesized that absence was a mediator in these associations, only 7 of 441 studies tested this, and all findings show no evidence of absence mediation. Conclusion CHCs are associated with lower academic attainment, but we found limited evidence of whether school absence mediates this association. Policies that focus solely on reducing school absence, without adequate additional support, are unlikely to benefit children with CHCs. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=285031, identifier: CRD42021285031.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Jay
- UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Sanders-Ellis
- UCL Institute of Education, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Blackburn
- UCL Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Deighton
- The Evidence Based Practice Unit, University College London and Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Gilbert
- UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Fine JR, Bafna T, Griffith SC, Ransdell JM, Barredo JC, Isrow DM. Effects of Cancer Treatment on the Education and Cognition of South Florida Pediatric Cancer Survivors. Cureus 2023; 15:e37001. [PMID: 37139042 PMCID: PMC10150617 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose As pediatric cancer survival rates have exponentially increased in the past decade, with the vast majority surviving five years or more, the long-term impacts of treatment on the quality of survivorship must be explored. This study examines the effects of pediatric cancer treatment regimens on education outcomes among a demographically diverse regional population. The primary objective is to identify potential factors that may impact the educational and cognitive quality of life in this population. Methods Four hundred sixty-eight pediatric oncology patients diagnosed at age <20 between January 1990 - August 2019 and treated for cancer with radiation therapy at a large public or a multi-center private hospital in South Florida were identified. A novel survey available in English and Spanish was electronically distributed at least three times to each patient from August 2020 - July 2021 via email, phone call, and text message. Variables relating to demographics, treatment, cognitive impairment, and school re-entry were collected through the survey and electronic medical record review. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results Of the patients, 10.5% responded to the survey (26 male, 21 female, two unidentified sex). The mean age was 8.9 years old (range 0-20) at diagnosis, 24.0 years old (range 8-39) at the time of survey completion, and 55.1% self-identified as Hispanic. Nearly one-quarter of respondents (22.4%) were unable to correctly identify the treatment modalities they received; Hispanic self-identifying patients were 1.75 times more likely than non-Hispanic patients to incorrectly report the treatment modalities received. One-quarter (26.5%) of respondents reported long-term cognitive deficits post-treatment, of which, over three-quarters (76.9%) identified as Hispanic. Conclusion This study illuminates patients' perspectives on their long-term cognitive impacts after pediatric cancer treatment. Given the diverse study population, ethnic disparities in post-treatment survivorship were explored. A substantial subset of Hispanic participants was unable to correctly identify their treatment regimen, and a disproportionately large group of Hispanic patients experienced cognitive long-term cognitive deficits, suggesting that ethnic disparities play a critical role in post-treatment survivorship. Further research on prioritizing educational intervention during and after treatment is essential to improving both the quality and equity of survivorship among pediatric oncology patients.
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Milner S, Feltbower RG, Absolom K, Glaser A. Identifying the important social outcomes for childhood cancer survivors: an e-Delphi study protocol. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e063172. [PMID: 36410830 PMCID: PMC9680166 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Optimising the health of childhood cancer survivors is important given the high long-term survival rate coupled with a significant late effects burden. Included within the WHO's definition of 'Health' are social outcomes. These are of interest given their impact on adult functioning within society, complex interactions with physical and mental health outcomes and potential for cross generational effects. Categories included within the definition of social outcomes are ill defined leading to potential gaps in research and service provision which could affect the ability of survivors to achieve their maximal potential. An e-Delphi study will be used to achieve expert consensus on the most important social outcomes for childhood cancer survivors to inform future research and ultimately, service provision. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A heterogeneous sample of at least 48 panel members will be recruited across four groups chosen to provide different perspectives on the childhood cancer journey: childhood cancer survivors, health professionals, social workers and teachers. Purposive sampling from a UK, regional long-term follow-up clinic will be used to recruit a representative sample of survivors. Other panel members will be recruited through local channels and national professional working groups. Opinions regarding breakdown and relevance of categories of social outcome will be collected through 3-5 rounds of questionnaires using an e-Delphi technique. Open ended, 7-point Likert scale and ranking questions will be used. Each round will be analysed collectively and per group to assess inter-rater agreement. Agreement and strength of agreement will be indicated by a median score of 6 or 7 and mean absolute deviation from the median, respectively. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval for this study has been granted by Regional Ethics Committee 4, West of Scotland (ID 297344). Study findings will be disseminated to involved stakeholders, published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Milner
- Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Richard G Feltbower
- Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Kate Absolom
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Adam Glaser
- Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
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Employment among Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194586. [PMID: 36230516 PMCID: PMC9559689 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, there are heterogeneous studies related to childhood cancer survivors’ (CCS) employment rates. Given the importance of this topic, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the prevalence of employment among CCS and to examine its association with socio-demographic and clinical factors. We followed the PRISMA guidelines to search for pertinent articles in relevant electronic databases. Eighty-nine articles comprising 93 cohorts were included. The overall prevalence of employment was 66% (CI: 95% 0.63–0.69). Subgroup meta-analyses showed that lower rates were found for central nervous system tumor survivors (51%, CI: 95% 0.43–0.59), and for CCS treated with cranial-radiotherapy (53%, CI: 95% 0.42–0.64) or haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (56%, CI: 95% 0.46–0.65). The studies conducted in Asia highlighted employment rates of 47% (CI: 95%, 0.34–0.60). Univariate meta-regressions identified the following socio-demographic factors associated with higher rates of employment: a female gender (p = 0.046), a higher mean age at the time of investigation (p = 0.00), a longer time since diagnosis (p = 0.00), a higher educational level (p = 0.03), and a married status (p = 0.00). In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence that two-thirds of CCS are employed worldwide. Identifying vulnerable groups of CCS may allow for the design of multidisciplinary support strategies and interventions to promote employment in this population.
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Devine KA, Christen S, Mulder RL, Brown MC, Ingerski LM, Mader L, Potter EJ, Sleurs C, Viola AS, Waern S, Constine LS, Hudson MM, Kremer LCM, Skinner R, Michel G, Gilleland Marchak J, Schulte FSM. Recommendations for the surveillance of education and employment outcomes in survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer: A report from the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group. Cancer 2022; 128:2405-2419. [PMID: 35435238 PMCID: PMC9321726 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Educational achievement and employment outcomes are critical indicators of quality of life in survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancer. This review is aimed at providing an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) with internationally harmonized recommendations for the surveillance of education and employment outcomes in survivors of CAYA cancer diagnosed before the age of 30 years. The CPG was developed by a multidisciplinary panel under the umbrella of the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group. After evaluating concordances and discordances of 4 existing CPGs, the authors performed a systematic literature search through February 2021. They screened articles for eligibility, assessed quality, and extracted and summarized the data from included articles. The authors formulated recommendations based on the evidence and clinical judgment. There were 3930 articles identified, and 83 of them, originating from 17 countries, were included. On a group level, survivors were more likely to have lower educational achievement and more likely to be unemployed than comparisons. Key risk factors for poor outcomes included receiving a primary diagnosis of a central nervous system tumor and experiencing late effects. The authors recommend that health care providers be aware of the risk of educational and employment problems, implement regular surveillance, and refer survivors to specialists if problems are identified. In conclusion, this review presents a harmonized CPG that aims to facilitate evidence-based care, positively influence education and employment outcomes, and ultimately minimize the burden of disease and treatment-related late adverse effects for survivors of CAYA cancers. LAY SUMMARY: A multidisciplinary panel has developed guidelines for the surveillance of education and employment outcomes among survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer. On the basis of evidence showing that survivors are at risk for lower educational achievement and unemployment, it is recommended that all survivors receive regular screening for educational and employment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie A Devine
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Salome Christen
- Health Science and Health Policy, Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Renée L Mulder
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Morven C Brown
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa M Ingerski
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Luzius Mader
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Adrienne S Viola
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | | | - Louis S Constine
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Melissa M Hudson
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.,Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | | | - Roderick Skinner
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Haematology/Oncology, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Gisela Michel
- Health Science and Health Policy, Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Jordan Gilleland Marchak
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Fiona S M Schulte
- Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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13
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Kim HY, Kang KA, Han SJ, Chun J. Web-Based Research Trends on Child and Adolescent Cancer Survivors Over the Last 5 Years: Text Network Analysis and Topic Modeling Study. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e32309. [PMID: 35103615 PMCID: PMC8848247 DOI: 10.2196/32309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Being diagnosed with cancer during childhood or adolescence can disrupt important periods in an individual’s physical, psychosocial, and spiritual development and potentially reduce the quality of life (QOL) after treatment. Research is urgently required to improve the QOL for child and adolescent cancer survivors, and it is necessary to analyze the trends in prior research reported in international academic journals to identify knowledge structures. Objective This study aims to identify the main keywords based on network centrality, subgroups (clusters) of keyword networks by using a cohesion analysis method, and the main theme of child and adolescent cancer survivor–related research abstracts through topic modeling. This study also aims to label the subgroups by comparing the results of the cohesion and topic modeling. Methods A text network analysis method and topic modeling were used to explore the main trends in child and adolescent cancer survivor research by structuring a network of keyword (semantic morphemes) co-occurrence in the abstracts of articles published in 5 major web-based databases from 2016 to 2020. A total of 1677 child and adolescent cancer survivor–related studies were used for data analyses. Data selection, processing, and analyses were also conducted. Results The top 5 keywords in terms of degree and eigenvector centrality were risk, control interval, radiation, childhood cancer treatment, and diagnosis. Of the 1677 studies used for data analyses, cluster 1 included 780 (46.51%) documents under risk management, cluster 2 contained 557 (33.21%) articles under health-related QOL and supportive care, and cluster 3 consisted of 340 (20.27%) studies under cancer treatment and complications. Conclusions This study is significant in that it confirms the knowledge structure based on the main keywords and cross-disciplinary trends in child and adolescent cancer survivor research published in the last 5 years worldwide. The primary goal of child and adolescent cancer survivor research is to prevent and manage the various aspects of the problems encountered during the transition to a normal life and to improve the overall QOL. To this end, it is necessary to further revitalize the study of the multidisciplinary team approach for the promotion of age-specific health behaviors and the development of intervention strategies with increased feasibility for child and adolescent cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Yong Kim
- Logos Health Design Institute, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Ah Kang
- College of Nursing, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-Jung Han
- College of Nursing, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyoung Chun
- College of Nursing, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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14
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Fair D, Park ER, Nipp RD, Rabin J, Hyland K, Kuhlthau K, Perez GK, Nathan PC, Armstrong GT, Oeffinger KC, Robison LL, Leisenring W, Kirchhoff AC. Material, behavioral, and psychological financial hardship among survivors of childhood cancer in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Cancer 2021; 127:3214-3222. [PMID: 34061973 PMCID: PMC8489494 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medical financial burden includes material, behavioral, and psychological hardship and has been underinvestigated among adult survivors of childhood cancer. METHODS A survey from 698 survivors and 210 siblings from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study was analyzed. The intensity of financial hardship was estimated across 3 domains: 1) material, including conditions that arise from medical expenses; 2) behavioral, including coping behaviors to manage medical expenses; and 3) psychological hardship resulting from worries about medical expenses and insurance, as measured by the number of instances of each type of financial hardship (0, 1-2, and ≥3 instances). Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to examine the clinical and sociodemographic predictors of experiencing financial hardship (0-2 vs ≥3 instances). RESULTS The intensity of financial hardship did not significantly differ between survivors and siblings. Survivors reported more instances of material hardship than siblings (1-2 instances: 27.2% of survivors vs 22.6% of siblings; ≥3 instances: 15.9% of survivors vs 11.4% siblings; overall P = .03). In multivariable regressions, insurance was protective against all domains of financial hardship (behavioral odds ratio [OR], 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06-0.22; material OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.19-0.71; psychological OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.05-0.21). Survivors who were older at diagnosis, female, and with chronic health conditions generally had higher levels of hardship. Brain radiation and alkylating agents were associated with higher levels of hardship. CONCLUSIONS Material, behavioral, and psychological financial burden among survivors of childhood cancer is common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Fair
- University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Elyse R Park
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ryan D Nipp
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Julia Rabin
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kelly Hyland
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Paul C Nathan
- The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Anne C Kirchhoff
- University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah
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15
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Bryan G, Kelly P, Chesters H, Franklin J, Griffiths H, Langton L, Langton L, Wakefield CE, Gibson F. Access to and experience of education for children and adolescents with cancer: a scoping review protocol. Syst Rev 2021; 10:167. [PMID: 34099059 PMCID: PMC8182947 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-021-01723-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer diagnosis in childhood or adolescence impacts significantly on school attendance, experience and educational outcomes. While there is longstanding recognition in clinical practice that these effects span the whole illness trajectory and continue beyond treatment completion, further clarity is required on the specific barriers and facilitators to education during cancer treatment and beyond, as well as on the experiences of children and adolescents across the full range of education settings (hospital, home, virtual, original school of enrolment), in order to determine which interventions are successful in improving access and experience from their perspective. The aim of this review is to identify what is known from the existing literature about access to and experience of education for children and adolescents with cancer during and post treatment. METHODS We have planned a scoping literature review searching the following databases from inception onwards: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase and Embase Classic, Web of Science Core Collection, Education Resources Index, Sociological Abstracts, APA PsycINFO, SCOPUS, CINAHL Plus, Emcare and The Cochrane Library. In addition, DARE, conference abstracts, key journals, and institutional websites will be searched. Arksey and O'Malley's six-step process will be followed, including a consultation exercise. Studies, reports and policies from any country providing care and treatment for children and adolescents with cancer published in English will be considered eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles and abstract data. A narrative summary of findings will be conducted. Data analysis will involve quantitative (e.g., frequencies) and qualitative (e.g., content and thematic analysis) methods. DISCUSSION This is a timely examination given the increased incidence of childhood cancer, more intensive treatment regimens and improved survival rates for childhood cancer. The inclusion of a substantive consultation exercise with families and professionals will provide an important opportunity to examine the scoping review outputs. Findings will assist the childhood cancer community in developing a comprehensive evidence-based understanding of a significant associated bio-psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment and will form the first step towards developing effective interventions and policies to mitigate identified detrimental effects. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION Open Science Framework (osf/io/yc4wt).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Bryan
- School of Health Sciences, University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, GU2 7XH, Surrey, UK.,Louis Dundas Centre for Children's Palliative Care, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, UK
| | - Paula Kelly
- Centre for Outcomes and Experience Research in Children's Health, Illness and Disability (ORCHID), Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, 37 Queen Square, London, UK.
| | - Heather Chesters
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Library, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, UK
| | - Jayne Franklin
- The Children's Hospital School at Great Ormond Street Hospital & UCH, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London, UK
| | - Helen Griffiths
- Clinical Health Psychology Psychological Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Children's Psychological Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Claire E Wakefield
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW MEDICINE, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.,Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, High Street, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Faith Gibson
- School of Health Sciences, University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, GU2 7XH, Surrey, UK.,Centre for Outcomes and Experience Research in Children's Health, Illness and Disability (ORCHID), Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, 37 Queen Square, London, UK
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16
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Liu Z, Xiao Z, Li M, Xiao Y, Wang X, He J, Li Y. Association Between Arg72Pro Polymorphism in TP53 and Malignant Abdominal Solid Tumor Risk in Hunan Children. Cancer Control 2021; 28:10732748211004880. [PMID: 33759598 PMCID: PMC8204553 DOI: 10.1177/10732748211004880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric solid tumors are heterogeneous and comprise various histological subtypes. TP53, a tumor suppressor, orchestrates the transcriptional activation of anti-cancer genes. The gene coding for this protein is highly polymorphic, and its mutations are associated with cancer development. The Arg72Pro polymorphism in TP53 has been associated with susceptibility to various types of cancer. Here, in this hospital-based study, we evaluated the association of this polymorphism with susceptibility toward malignant abdominal solid tumors in children in the Hunan province of China. We enrolled 162 patients with neuroblastoma, 60 patients with Wilms' tumor, and 28 patients with hepatoblastoma as well as 270 controls. Genotypes were determined using a TaqMan assay, and the strength of the association was assessed using an odds ratio, within a 95% confidence interval identified using logistic regression models. Our results showed that the Arg72Pro polymorphism did not exhibit significant association with susceptibility toward pediatric malignant abdominal solid tumors. Stratification analysis revealed that this polymorphism exerts weak sex- and age-specific effects on Wilms' tumor and hepatoblastoma susceptibility, respectively. Overall, our results indicate that the Arg72Pro polymorphism may have a marginal effect on susceptibility toward pediatric malignant abdominal solid tumors in Hunan, and this finding warrants further confirmation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zan Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhenghui Xiao
- Emergency Center of Hunan Children’s Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yaling Xiao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiyang Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jing He
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Jing He, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, Guangzhou 510623, China.
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Yong Li, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hunan Children’s Hospital, 86 Ziyuan Road, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China.
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Molcho M, D'Eath M, Alforque Thomas A, Sharp L. Educational attainment of childhood cancer survivors: A systematic review. Cancer Med 2019; 8:3182-3195. [PMID: 31007000 PMCID: PMC6558589 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Advances in treatment mean that most children diagnosed with cancer during childhood survive. Therefore, it is increasingly important to examine the long‐term consequences of childhood cancer, including educational attainment. This systematic review investigated whether the educational attainment of childhood cancer survivors differ from the cancer‐free population. Design/methods We searched seven databases for articles published from January 2005 to August 2018. We identified full papers in English, reporting primary data on academic attainment of adult survivors of childhood cancer, compared to a control group. Quality appraisal was conducted using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. Results Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Nine papers included patients with various types of cancers, four focused on a single type of cancer, and one on patients who underwent stem cell transplantation. Of the 14 papers, 2 studies were considered good quality, 10 were considered adequate quality, and 2 were considered poor quality. Four studies reported more favorable educational attainment among survivors while six did not report significant differences. Less favorable attainment was consistently reported for CNS survivors in four studies. Conclusion The literature does not provide a clear pattern of the long‐term consequences of childhood cancer on education attainment. While this may suggest that there is no consistent difference between the education attainment of cancer survivors and controls, it may also be the result of limitations in the existing research. To better assess the education attainment of survivors, there is a need for high‐quality studies, with appropriate comparators, and standardized measures of education attainment across countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Linda Sharp
- Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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